India’s biggest civilian honours are back in the spotlight today as the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony takes place in New Delhi. From cinema legends and music icons to scientists, doctors and social workers,
some of the country’s most celebrated names are being honoured at the prestigious event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Padma Awards on May 25 during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony. This year, the Government of India has announced 131 Padma honours, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards.
Among the entertainment industry personalities being recognised this year are late Dharmendra, Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, R Madhavan and late Satish Shah.
But every year, one question keeps popping up online: what exactly is the difference between Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan?
Here’s a detailed breakdown.
What Are The Padma Awards?
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours. They are given to individuals for exceptional work in fields such as arts, literature, education, cinema, medicine, sports, science, public affairs, social work and more.
Also Read: Padma Awards 2026: Late Dharmendra, Mammootty And Alka Yagnik To Be Honoured Today
The awards are announced every year around Republic Day and are later presented by the President of India during official ceremonies at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Padma Awards are divided into three categories:
Padma Shri
Padma Bhushan
Padma Vibhushan
Above all of them is the Bharat Ratna, which remains India’s highest civilian honour.
What Does Padma Shri Mean?
The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India.
It is usually given to individuals who have made distinguished contributions in their field over several years. The honour recognises excellence and impact, even if the person may not necessarily have national or global dominance in their profession.
In simple words, Padma Shri celebrates people who have significantly contributed to society, culture or their industry.
This year, actor R Madhavan has been selected for the Padma Shri for his contribution to cinema. Popularly called “Maddy” by fans, he is known for films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, 3 Idiots and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect.
Late actor Satish Shah is also being posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri. The actor became a household name with shows such as Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and FIR.
Over the years, many actors, musicians, athletes and writers have first received the Padma Shri before eventually moving to higher Padma honours later in their careers.
What Does Padma Bhushan Mean?
The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India.
This honour is considered a step above the Padma Shri and is awarded for “distinguished service of a high order.” In most cases, recipients have already built a long-lasting national impact in their field and are widely respected across generations.
This year, Malayalam cinema superstar Mammootty will receive the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema. Interestingly, he had earlier received the Padma Shri back in 1998.
Mammootty has worked across Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema for decades and is regarded as one of India’s finest actors. His progression from Padma Shri to Padma Bhushan reflects how the honours often recognise an artist’s growing legacy over time.
Playback singer Alka Yagnik is another major Padma Bhushan recipient this year. Her voice dominated Bollywood music charts through the 1990s and 2000s, with countless hit songs that remain fan favourites even today.
Many recipients see the Padma Bhushan as recognition not just for popularity, but for sustained cultural influence.
What Does Padma Vibhushan Mean?
The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India, just below the Bharat Ratna.
It is awarded for “exceptional and distinguished service.” This honour is reserved for individuals whose contribution is considered extraordinary and nationally transformative.
Recipients are usually icons who have shaped Indian culture, public life, science, arts or global reputation in a massive way over several decades.
This year, late Dharmendra will be honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan.
The legendary actor remains one of Hindi cinema’s most influential stars and is remembered for classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Phool Aur Patthar.
The honour reflects the scale of his impact on Indian cinema and popular culture over several decades.
Historically, Padma Vibhushan recipients have included some of India’s biggest names from cinema, politics, music, spirituality, science and sports.
So, Which Award Is Bigger?
Here’s the order of India’s top civilian honours:
Bharat Ratna
Padma Vibhushan
Padma Bhushan
Padma Shri
The higher the category, the greater the scale and national significance of the recipient’s contribution is generally considered to be.
However, all Padma honours are highly prestigious and are regarded as some of the biggest recognitions in the country.
Can Someone Receive More Than One Padma Award?
Yes. A person can receive a higher Padma honour later in life.
For example, Mammootty received the Padma Shri in 1998 and is now being honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2026.
Several Indian legends across cinema, music and public life have similarly moved from Padma Shri to Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan over the course of their careers.
However, there are usually several years between the honours.
Who Decides The Winners?
The Padma Awards are given by the Government of India.
Recommendations come from state governments, ministries, previous awardees and even ordinary citizens. A Padma Awards Committee then reviews the nominations before the final list is approved by the Prime Minister and the President of India.
Interestingly, anyone can nominate a person for a Padma Award.
Can The Awards Be Given Posthumously?
Yes. The government can honour individuals posthumously if their contribution is considered exceptional.
This year, Dharmendra and Satish Shah are both being recognised after their deaths.
Posthumous honours often carry deep emotional significance for families, fans and the industry.
Why Do The Padma Awards Matter So Much?
For many Indians, the Padma Awards are more than medals or titles. They are seen as national recognition for years, sometimes decades, of contribution and influence.
In entertainment especially, the awards often become a reflection of how deeply an artist has shaped Indian culture.
Whether it is a superstar actor, a playback singer, a theatre veteran or a scientist working quietly behind the scenes, the Padma Awards celebrate people whose work leaves a lasting mark on the country.
